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Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam praised Saracens for doing an unbelievable job supporting Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa before dismissing him following a late-night incident. Auvaa, 21, joined Bristol after being sacked by Saracens two weeks prior following an altercation in St Albans that is currently under police investigation.
Giving a Second Chance
Auvaa was previously involved in a nightclub altercation in June alongside England cricketers Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, though Saracens supported him at the time. Following the second incident, Saracens terminated his contract. When announcing Auvaa’s signing on Monday, Lam stated that he believes in giving people second chances.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, Lam said: “People make mistakes. I felt he will fit in well here.” He added that Auvaa was training with the team, looked impressive, and possessed the ability to develop into an outstanding rugby player.
Support and Mentorship
Lam revealed that England, British & Irish Lions, and Saracens captain Maro Itoje had reached out to check on Auvaa as he transitioned to the Bears. According to Lam, Saracens provided Auvaa with an English teacher, and Itoje acted as a mentor to the young forward.
As reported by BBC Radio Bristol, Lam stated: “Saracens did an unbelievable job, they gave him the opportunity, they got him an English teacher, Maro itoje has been like a mentor to him.” He noted that Saracens made the decision they felt was right and that he understood it.
Lam hopes to be a positive influence on his fellow Samoan player and mentioned that Auvaa has not received any ultimatums regarding his future conduct. He expressed that everyone has a past to learn from and that his own life experiences shaped who he is today.
Upcoming Opportunities
Auvaa made one senior appearance for Saracens, playing 20 minutes during a Prem Rugby Cup match in September. Lam suggested that the forward could match that appearance count for Bristol soon, with upcoming group games in the competition against Sale and Bath in November.
Lam concluded that Auvaa needs to learn the team’s systems and ways quickly, noting that the player had already made a good start.
